K-9 Consultants of America is committed to the improvement of Police Service Dog teams with services including handler/dog selection and identifying strengths and weaknesses of current teams through records analysis and or onsite observation. Additionally, K-9 Consultants of America can also help increase the proficiency and reliability of a team or teams through instruction on the science behind the behavior modification that occurs to create the desired response. Additionally, proper record keeping will be taught focusing on the importance and benefits of proper analysis of records created.

Police Administrators should establish policies that include detailed records of the teams’ training/field performance as well as strict certification standards. Records for training should include highly detailed information about the training session such as substance used, the amount, the container, placement of the training aid and if the team was running a known or blind (meaning whether the handler knew or did not know where the aids were placed) training session. Field performance records should also include as many variables as possible. The details listed above are just a fraction of what should be addressed in an acceptable record keeping standard. In addition to record keeping is the need for strict policies of certification. Team certification must be to a standard that reflects real world scenarios, uses definitive and easily understood scoring models and most importantly shows that the dog will respond only when the target odor is detected. By adopting and enforcing these policies teams can increase their reliability and avoid rulings such as the ones in United States vs. Christy, Arizona vs. Wright, and United States vs. Clarkson.

Attorneys that utilize K-9 Consultants of America to review the team in question will receive an independent objective analysis. This analysis can help avoid unexpected revelations about the teams’ abilities that could possibly impede the ability to effectively prosecute or defend a case.

The majority of teams reviewed by K-9 Consultants of America are narcotics detector teams. Some may say that a handler working in “good faith” is enough to deem a team reliable. “Good faith” is not acceptable in bomb detection dogs. Bomb detection teams that perform to the same level as many of the narcotics detection teams are highly likely to cause unnecessary death due to poor training and maintenance of the team. How would one use a “good faith” excuse in the wrongful death of not only the officers but any other innocent bystanders? The fact is that good faith is not good enough no matter what the target odor is.

The ultimate goal is to get drugs off of the street, but it needs to be done in a manner that does not violate the 4th Amendment of the constitution. K-9 Consultants of America’s goal is to create, maintain and promote K-9 teams to the best of their ability. As for teams that are not at peak performance K-9 Consultants of America is here to show the weaknesses of the teams and help show what is necessary to bring the team to a higher level of performance.

Well trained dogs are an asset to law enforcement. Poorly trained dog teams are a liability. Reduce liability and increase effectiveness with an independent review from K9 Consultants of America.

K9 Consultants of America can analyze a team's training and utilization records and provide an objective assessment of a team.